Sheave forming machine



.J. G. LINDEMAN SHEAVE FORMING MACHINE July 29, 1969 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 9, 1967 HGURE 6 HGUHK 3 HGUHE Jesse G l/hdeman,

INVENTOR 1 47 IORNZ- )t July 29, 1969 J. G. LINDEMAN SHEAVE FORMINGMACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1967 ,F/ GURE Jesse (G mde y 29,1969 J. G. LINDEMAN 3,457,751

SHEAVE FORMING MACHINE File n- 9. 1 7 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

FIGURE 4 5i A 10mm United States Patent 3,457,751 SHEAVE FORMING MACHINEJesse G. Lindeman, 3712 W. Chestnut St., Yakima, Wash. 98902 Filed Jan.9, 1967, Ser. No. 608,065 Int. Cl. 321d 15/04, 15/00 U.S. Cl. 71-105 2Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A metal forming machine to press acylindrical blank between opposed compound roller dies to form the blanksurface as for a multiple sheave. Each roller die has plural elementswith at least one set being axially movable by positive mechanicallinkage during the forming process to form a sheave blank havingsubstantially uniform wall thickness.

My invention relates generally to a machine for forming from acylindrical blank the external peripheral element of a sheave and moreparticularly to such a machine that forms such a member, with relativelyuniform wall thickness throughout, by rolling the blank between opposedmating dies having relatively moveable elements adapted to shrink theblank to the desired form.

Light weight sheaves, formed with a cylindrical peripheral memberadapted to receive plural belts by means of alternating indentations andprotuberances and provided with a web supported hub of similar lightconstruction, are especially desirable in high speed reversiblemechanisms because of their low inertia. Heretofore if a peripheralsheave element of such nature be formed by rolling a cylindrical blankbetween unitary positive and negative dies having the final desiredshape, the finished member will have thicker and thinner portionsdepending upon whether that portion of the metal was stretched orshrunken from the original to form the final shape. In some productsthis type of structure is not detrimental, but in sheave structures itis undesirable, as the thinner portions are those that generally receivemost wear.

In response to this problem some solutions have heretofore been offered.Principal among these is the die rolling of such members in multiplestages so that the final product has more uniform wall thickness.Multiple rolling, however, is difficult, time consuming and expensive,as it requires a plurality of relatively costly dies, and creates otherdifliculties encountered with discontinuous manufacturing processes.Oftentimes, also, especially if the angularity between adjacentdepressions and protuberances be great, the process has not beeneifective as the metal moves sufficiently to cause failures orundesirable changes of physical characteristics.

In response to this problem the instant invention was conceived to forma peripheral sheave member or similarly shaped product by die rolling inone continuous process to a final state wherein the product hasappropriate configuration with relatively uniform thickness throughout.This result is accomplished by providing paired 0pposed roller dies withseveral relatively laterally moveable elements adapted to move inwardlyduring a con- Patented July 29, 1969 tinuous rolling process to shrink acylindrical blank to a final desired configuration with uniform wallthickness.

In so doing it is:

A principal object of my invention to create a machine that will form acylindrical member having alternating annular indentations andprotuberances from a cylindrical blank to a finished product, havingrelatively uniform wall thickness, in one continuous operation byrolling between positive and negative rolling dies having a plurality ofelements laterally movable relative to each other during the rollingprocess to shrink the original blank to a structure of uniform wallthickness.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a machine that formsthe said product in a continuous operation with one set of dies.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a continuousrolling process of novel character for the formation of such acylindrical member of uniform wall thickness, adapted particularly foruse as the peripheral member of a multiple sheave.

A still further object of my invention is to provide such a machine thatis of new and novel design, of simple and economical manufacture, ofrugged and durable nature, and one that is otherwise well adapted to theuses for which it is intended.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from aconsideration of the following specification and accompanying drawingswhich form a part of this application. In carrying out the objects of myinvention, however, it is to be understood that its essential featuresare susceptible of change in design and structural arrangement, withonly one preferred and practical embodiment being specified andillustrated, as required.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers of reference refer tosimilar parts throughout:

FIGURE 1 is an elongate cross-sectional view of a typical multiplesheave peripheral member with the original blank illustrated in dottedoutline.

FIGURE 2 is an orthographic side view of my invention showing itsvarious parts, their arrangement and configuration.

FIGURE 3 is an orthographic front view of my invention showing itsparts, their configuration and relationship from this aspect.

FIGURE 4 is an orthographic, vertical cross-sectional view through thedie forming heads of my invention, taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 2, inthe direction indicated by the arrows thereon.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical, orthographical view of the same rolling headsillustrated in FIGURE 4, taken at right angles to the view point ofFIGURE 4, on the line 55 thereon, in the direction indicated by thearrows.

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the various poweringsystems of my invention, illustrated in normal symbology.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail and particularly tothose of FIGURES 2 and 3, where my invention is shown in its grossaspects, it will be seen that it embodies bed frame 10 carrying thevarious operating mechanisms and supporting, in its upper forward part,lower roll frame 11 rotatably journaling lower die roll 12 and pivotallysupporting upper roll frame 13 rotatably journaling upper die roll 14,with hydraulic means communicating between the roll frames to adjustablyposition the rolls relative to each other.

Red frame 10 is formed with vertical legs 16 structurally communicatingwith intermediate cross members 17 and top members 18 to form a rigidstructural support. This member carries the electrical switchingapparatus 19, controlling power supply to the various motive systems ofmy invention, preferably in a forward position on vertical legs 16 sothat the apparatus is readily accessable during operation. Intermediatecross supports 17 carry principal prime mover, electric motor 20,communicating by couple 21 to gearing mechanism 22, again carried by theintermediate cross members 17.

The rearward portion of bed frame 10 supports, on top member 18, thehydraulic system including motor 23 driving pump 24 which is suppliedwith hydraulic fluid from reservoir 25, through regulating apparatus 26to distrihute it under some pressure into the hydraulic system 15.

Lower roll frame 11 includes similar right side plate 27 and left sideplate 28 joined by cross members 29 and supported in the forward portionof top 18 of bed frame 10. Journaled for rotation by bearings 30 in theforward portion of this member is hollow lower die shaft 31 maintainedin lateral alignment by the thrust nature of bearings 30.

Forwardly and below die shaft 31 is brake shoe shaft 33 journaled inbearings 34 on side plates 27, 28 and maintained in lateral alignment bythrust rings 35. This shaft irrotatably carries in its right end portionbell crank 37 pivotably journaling brake shoe 36, adapted to communicatewith the peripheral surface of friction wheel 32,

lf'orwardly and above lower die shaft 31 is blank aligning shaft 38rotatably journaled by bearings 39 in side plates 27, 28. This shaft hasspaced medial threaded portions 40, each threaded in opposite directionto the other and threadedly carrying aligning ears 41. The shaft islute-rally aligned by the thrust nature of bearings 39 and provided withirrotatably communicating crank 42 in its right end portion for manualmanipulation. This structure allows aligning ears 41 to be movedlaterally along shaft 38 relative to each other, but yet at all times toremain symmetrically equidistant from the central point of the shaft.

Rearwardly and above lower die shaft 31 is back-up roll shaft 43,journaled in moveable bearings 44, adapted for motion at an angleforwardly and upwardly, as illustrated particularly in FIGURE 2, byadjustment of studs 45 threadedly carried in paired opposed yokes 46structurally communicating with side plates 27, 28. An appropriateorifice 47 is provided in the side plates to allow adjustment of stud45. This shaft maintains a blank in proper rolling position relative tothe two die shafts during the rolling operation.

All of the various shafts 31, 33, 38 and 43 are aligned with their axesparallel to each other and provided with appropriate lateral motionlimiting structures as specified.

Upper roll frame 13 is formed with similar right side member 48 and leftside member 49 structurally joined by cross-members 50. Right sidemember 48 pivotally communicates with lower side plate 27 by bolt-nutcombination 51 and left side member 49 communicates with lower left sideplate 28 by similar bolt-nut combination, each of said structures beingaxially aligned with the die rolls to provide pivotable movement betweenupper and lower roll frames 11, 13 with the die axes remaining parallel.Right side member 48 is a compound structure with rearward and upperportion 52 communicating with bolt 51 and forward lower portion 53constituting a separate unit pivotably supported on rearward portion 52by hinge 54 providing for laterally outward, substantially horizontalmovement of lower element 53, to allow for insertion of a cylindricalsheave blank over and about upper die roll 14.

Upper die shaft 55 is journaled for rotation in bearings '56, the leftbearing carried by the left side member 49 and the rigid bearingsupported, at least against upward movement, by forward pivotableportion 53 of right side member 48.

Adjustable slideable turnbuckles 57 extend from pins 58 in ears 59 ofthe lower rearward portion of side plate 27, 28 to pins 60 in ears 61 ofthe rearward portion of upper side members 48, 49, to limit the motionof upper die shaft 55 toward lower die shaft 31 to prevent damage to themachine.

Hydraulic frame 62 extends upwardly and rearwardly from top members 18of bed frame 10 in a medial position between the roll frames. This frame62 rigidly supports double acting cylinder 63 relative to bed frame 10.Piston shaft 64 communicates with cross member '50 of upper roll frame13 in a pivotable fashion so that upon lineal movement of the pistonshaft, the upper roll frame will be pivotably moved relative lower rollframe 11 and thusly upper die shaft 55 moved relative lower die shaft31. The double acting capabilities of hydraulic cylinder 63 allow thedies to be opened or closed as desired.

Upper and lower die rolls are best illustrated in the sectional views ofFIGURES 4 and 5 where it will be seen that each roll carries a pluralityof positive and negative die elements laterally moveable relative toeach other. Herein lies the essence of my invention.

In FIGURE 4 the dies are expanded or in an initial position. It is seenthat lower die shaft 31 is a hollow member having axially aligned,central cylindrical channel 65. This channel carries die moving shaft 66irrotatably journaling friction wheel 32 on its right side and havinglaterally spaced, medial threaded portions 67 carrying die moving dogs68, each having outwardly extending arms 69 projecting throughappropriate elongate slots 70 in die shaft 31 to communicate with theforming dies. With this structure the die shaft 31 may rotate as desiredindependently of die moving shaft 66, which in turn may be rotated tovaryingly position the die moving dogs 68 laterally relative to eachother.

A plurality of such die moving dogs might be used, one for each dieelement, if desired, to position and move each die elementindependently. This structure has in practice been found somewhatcomplex and not necessary to the proper functioning of my invention,however.

Lower die shaft 31 carries die positioning disks 71, laterallypositioned on the shaft by thrust rings 72 immediately adjacent the diepositioning disks and side plates 27, 28. These die positioning disksadjustably threadedly carry die aligning pins 73 adapted to properlylaterally align the various elements of the die rolls relative to eachother at their outwardmost extension and limit this lateral extension.

The lower positive forming die comprises a plurality of laterallyalternating positive and negative elements to form the finished sheaveperiphery. In the member illustrated in FIGURE 4, a six groove sheavewould be formed. Each of the die elements has a forming portion 74 of anappropriate configuration to form, in cooperation with its opposed mate,the final member desired. The laterally innermost elements 75 arecylindrical structures bearing on die shaft 31 and prevented fromrotation relative thereto by key 76. The next laterally outward members76 bear on the laterally extending cylindrical neck of member 75 and areprevented from rotating relative thereto by key 78 therebetween. Thethird laterally outward members 79 bear on the cylindrical neck of themembers 77 and are prevented from rotating relatively thereto by keys80, and the fourth laterally outward members bear upon the lateralextensions of members 79 and are prevented from rotating relativelythereto by the outward arm 69 of die moving dogs 68, With thisstructure, t is seen that each of the lower die elements will rotate inresponse to rotation of lower die shaft 31, but each will be laterallymoveable, within limits, relative to the other; since arms 69 of diemoving dogs 68 extend through the shafts of each of the individual diemembers, each will be moved in response to motion of the die moving dogs68, so that the entire structure will be laterally expanded orcontracted, as desired.

The upper negative forming die member is formed in the same fashion asthe lower die with appropriately mating peripheral configuration.Central die 81 is immoveable laterally on upper die shaft 55 and isirrotatably carried thereon by means of key 82. The next laterallyoutward members 83 have laterally extending cylindrical necks 85 and aremaintained irrotatably upon shaft 55 by keys 84. The next laterallyoutward dies 86 slideably bear on the necks 85 of dies 83 and aremaintained irrotatable relative thereto by key 87; the outermost dies 88bear on the laterally extending necks of dies 86 and are maintainedirrotatable relative thereby to keys 89. This structure is the same asthat for the lower die member except that no provision is made for thedie moving assembly; none need be as the negative die will follow thepositive die naturally in the forming operation.

The several die members are biased to an outwardly extended position,away from each other, by plurality of extension springs 90 carried byspring rods 91 extending between adjacent die members so that the entirestructure is biased open but yet yieldable to a closed position-theconfiguration of a finishing die in a multiple stage rolling process.

The various powering mechanisms, and their relationship, are illustratedin normal symbology in FIGURE 6. From the foregoing description, it canbe seen that power source 92 supplies energy through control panel 19 tomotor 20 which converts this energy to rotary torque that is transmittedthrough coupler 21 and gearing mechanism 22 to power the die rolls 12,14. Electric energy is also supplied from panel 19 to motor 23activating pump 24 which transmits fluid under pressure from reservoir25 through hydraulic control 26 to double acting cylinder 63 tohydraulically activate it as specified. The various circuitry, controlmechanisms and control devices are known in the art. Obviously thevarious motive means are matters of choice and other means which wouldaccomplish the same purpose may be substituted if desired.

Having thusly described the mechanism of my invention, its operation maynow be understood.

To use my machine, a cylindrical blank member having Wall thicknessessentially the same as that desired in the finished product is chosen,with an axial length somewhat greaterapproximately 30%-than the finishedproduct desired. The blank is established in my machine, having diesformed to previously determined specifications to form the particularproduct desired, by opening lowerforward portion 53 of right side member48 of roll frame 13 and inserting the blank around upper die roll 14.The part 53 of side member 48 is then replaced to support upper rollbearing 56 against upward thrust.

Blank aligning crank 42 is turned to move aligning ears 41 inwardly intocontact with the lateralmost edges of the blank and in this conditionthe prime mover is activated to cause the lower power-driven die roll 12to rotate. As roll 12 rotates, hydraulic cylinder 63 is activated tobring upper die roll 14 toward lower die roll 12 and the forming processbegins. As soon as both dies contact the metal and begin to form it, thebrake shoe 36 is activated to frictionally engage wheel 32 to causerotary activation of die moving shaft 66, thus causing die moving dogs68 to move inwardly and move the various die elements toward each other.This process is continued until the dies have moved inwardly immediatelyadjacent each other. The speed of moving of the dies toward each othermust be regulated relative to the speed of rotation of the dies and theparticular metals and structures involved, according to principles wellknown in the art and empirical tests.

After the dies are immediately adjacent each other, or very nearly so,the two die shafts are backed away from each other, the dies tightenedlaterally, as tightly as they may be, and the structure given a finalroll to assure that it is in its desired final form.

With this rolling operation it is to be noted that the metal blank willbe shrunken into the final form, and by reason of this, the finalthickness of the finished member will be nearly uniform throughout andsubstantially equal to that of the blank with which the operation began.

It is further to be noted that, by reason of the configuration of thedies, the negative or upper die will necessarily follow the lower orpositive die in lateral motion; in fact, after the first forming isaccomplished, the metal itself during continuance of the formingoperation will draw the dies together and thusly not require anyextensive use of the die moving apparatus.

The foregoing description of my invention is necessarily of a detailednature so that a specific embodiment of it may be set forth as required,but it is to be understood that various modifications of detail,rearrangement and multiplication of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from its spirit, essence or scope.

Having thusly described my invention, what I desire to protect byLetters Patent, and,

What I claim is:

1. A metal forming machine of the nature aforesaid comprising, incombination:

a positive die roll comprising a plurality of elements,

each laterally moveable and irrotatably carried upon a common die shaft;

a cooperating negative die roll comprising a plurality of elementslaterally moveable and irrotatably carried upon a common die shaft;

means of journaling each of said die shafts in axially parallel,adjustably spaced relationship; and

means of moving the die elements of at least one die set laterallyinward relative to each other while rotatably moving the die shaftsrelative to each other to form a sheet member of relatively uniform wallthickness therebetween, such means comprising a die moving shaft,carried within one of the die shafts and having spaced medial portionsthreadedly carrying radially outwardly projecting dogs extending throughslots in the carrying die shaft to communicate with the laterallyoutward die elements of one die roll and means of rotating the diemoving shaft independently of the carrying die shaft to laterally movesaid dogs.

2. A machine for forming the peripheral cylindrical member of a multiplesheave from cylindrical sheet stock, comprising, in combination:

a base frame;

a lower die roll frame carried thereby, rotatably journaling a lower dieroll comprising a die shaft laterally slidably and irrotatably carryinga plurality of die elements for each separate feature of a sheave form;

an upper die roll frame, pivotably carried by the lower die roll frameand rotatably journaling, parallel to the lower die roll shaft, an upperdie roll, comprising a plurality of coperating individual die elementsfor each separate feature of a sheave form, each in-.

dividual die element being irrotatably carried by the upper roll shaftand laterally movable relative thereto;

means of adjustably pivotably moving the upper die roll relative thelower die roll to form a sheave blank therebetween;

means of moving one set of die elements from a laterally expanded to alaterally contracted position com- 7 8 prising a die moving shaftrotatably carried within References Cited one die shaft and havingspaced medial portions UNITED STATES PATENTS threadedly carryingradially outwardly projecting 0 dogs extending through slots in thecarrying die shaft 5225 3 1 5233 to communicate with the laterallyoutward elements 5 1968124 7/1934 Cate X of the die roll to move suchelements toward each 2:495:533 1/1950 Mackiiget 3L 72 109 X other uponrotation of the die moving shaft and 2,750,985 6/1956 s ll t 1, 72-109means of turning the die moving shaft independent 3,349,599 10/1967Ullman et al. 72370 X liyggcgf. L111; carrymg d1e shaft to laterallymove said 10 MILTON S. MEHR, Primary Examiner means of powering at leastone of the die rolls for U.S. Cl. X.R.

rotation. 72109

